21st Century Toys 1:18 Information Q&A (Area-21 Pres)

Cabe · Post by **Cabe** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 12:14 am

i finally got my hetzer today at WM and as mentioned in another thread about the hetzer, it is true. The mg a armored plate for it are missing!
Can I get a reply even a PM as to where these went?
nobody seems to be getting the mg and guard with their hetzers.
If it is a WM edition screw up, is there a way I can pay postage for my part to be delivered? from that I can make my own to replace missing ones on my future purchases to repaint using plastic sheeting and pegs from hobby town, though making to MG won't be fun.

why no parts?
are they hidden?
are they inside and i need to crack it open?
they are??!!
OK I WILL!
One sec getting my hammer.

normandy · Post by **normandy** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 2:54 pm

Hello TKO, could you tell us who will be selling the upcoming King Tiger, 88, and Panther? So far we've seen that The Motorpool has them on preorder. Will they make it to TRU?
Thanks, Normandy.

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:30 pm

Sorry I have not been scanning this section much the last few weeks. I will try my best to answer these latest questions.

for Normandy: I don't think TRU is going to carry the King Tiger or the 88. At least that is the word as of today. Things can always change but... It might not be till later S2 releases or whatever. Perhaps not at all. Panther I think will ship to TRU. The KT and 88 are new larger boxes so that might be part of the situation.

For Cabe: This is not something I am familiar with nor have heard about. Sorry- I wish I could be more help to you on this.

For Army Group 1: More stuff is in the works that is not ready to be talked about as I have been told. Your observation about a jagdpanther is a good one and I would suggest it to Roy but I am certian that he is already well aware. Roy is quite knowledgeable about military. I know it has come up before in the recent past. I can't confirm or deny at this moment that one is under construction. They always have something going on and I know more stuff is on the way.

for Flytiger:
1.B-25. Oh I want this plane in the worst way... I really wish I knew for sure what the status is. For now 21C is running a strictly no-talk pilocy on this, the F-4 and the MiG-21. These are black projects and I am not in the loop on them. Sorry.

2. P-47? EXCELLENT question. No they are not dead. I strongly suspect a comeback of this loved airplane.

3. Wildcat? Another great observation. Right now I know of no working plans to build this AC. However, let me tell you what I do know! Roy has kicked around the Hellcat and Wildcat for a couple years now. The Hellcat pressure has been lifted by BBI so I think that opens the path a little more to a Wildcat from 21C. Also the Wildcat has a better range of schemes, a huge plus. But I can't say for certian.

Now, one thing to consider with all of this, and I stress that the following is only bits I have picked up from the 21C camp. New patterns are being made by 21C in 1:18 scale. I don't know exaclty what they are but I know enough to know that something(s) are under development. These are NEW things and that is all that I know.

Not trying to dangle any hints or tease or anything like that. I manintain that AREA-21 is the most official way for these rumors to birth more of the reality. But right now- this is what I know.

Hope that helps. I am sure that as the KT and 88 release soon the more we will find out.

Flytiger · Post by **Flytiger** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:56 pm

Thanks, TKO!

Hint: We need 16 of them.

normandy · Post by **normandy** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:37 pm

Thanks TKO.
So it seems the King Tiger and 88 will be sold on line and at or around $ 100.00.........

grunt1 · Post by **grunt1** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:57 pm

normandy wrote:Thanks TKO.
So it seems the King Tiger and 88 will be sold on line and at or around $ 100.00.........

*cough* I hope not..

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:45 pm

TKO211:

Thanks for the info. Two questions:

1.Can you clarify on the P-47---1/18 or 1/32?
2. Are there plans for a re-release of the 1/18 Sherman? (since the 1/18 Panther is coming up)

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:18 pm

The P-47 reference was in regard to the 1:18 scale. I believe Roy was takling about the 47's again and who they have been out of circulation for years. I have also heard that "Gabby" is a scheme that 21st intends to do at some point in the near future. Can't make P-47's and NOT do Gabby right!

I have not heard about shermans, though IF they were to reissue them, I might expect it to come in some other variant such as a firefly or dozer.

Yep- the KT is going to sell for 85 to 100 bucks. Same with the 88. Neither is planned to sell at TRU or WM at this time.

Black_Dragon_One · Post by **Black_Dragon_One** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:01 pm

I guest i break down and buy one of each just to say i have one... god it is going to hurt the pocket book....

hay no pain no gain

olifant · Post by **olifant** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:56 pm

Thanks TKO. Hopefully once they are in the supply chain TRU will decide to pick them up. I am sure you can understand that most of us will only be buying one at the $100 price point.

I think I should look for a TRU customer input site to see if we can offer our suggestions. The 1/18 AC seem to be moving fairly well...

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:05 pm

Yeah, I REALLY hope that TRU continues to do well with these larger 1:18 items. It would certainly help to drive down the prices on items such as the KT and 88. For now the older planes that have more of the initial costs covered are what is shipping to TRU. It would explain why we haven't seen the 262's there.

I will be interesting to see.

normandy · Post by **normandy** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:41 am

Well the 1:18 Armor and Aircraft at my local TRU (3 in my AO ) is selling very well. If they knock the price down by 30 or 40 bucks TRU might show some interest. My fingers are crossed.

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:51 pm

TKO211:

Thanks very much for the info---a 1/18 Gabreski P-47 is very high on my must-buy list (along with the Steve Ritchie F-4D).

2 more questions about the new 1/18 P-47 Gabreski repaint:

1. Will it have the antenna and gunsight that were missing from earlier 1/18 P-47s?
2. Will it be the "D" bubbletop model of the P-47?

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:04 pm

I don't have all the details in regards to how the Gabby P-47 would be built, just that 21C does intend to offer this scheme in the near future. I have discussed this several times with Roy and I think everyone agrees that a Gabby P-47 scheme is a MUST have.

Now let me speculate... The desire to do a Gabby scheme has been there all along, so why wait?... I think there were already too many P-47's out all at one time, that is one factor. The other might also be that there might be modifications / improvement / or additions to the P-47 mold. my 2cents

As for will it be a bubble top. I think so! I think the bubble top makes the most sense. Another Razorback scheme might be in the works as well but I know Roy wants to see a newer more accurate windshield / canopy on the Razorback first. This is one of the supporting facts that make me think revisions / upgrades to the P-47 have been held off prior to a Gabby release.

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:04 pm

Revisions would be very nice, and I would certainly get another if that were the case, never mind the Gabreski paintscheme

olifant · Post by **olifant** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:56 pm

Build it and I will buy.

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:20 am

TKO211:

Thanks for the great news and answering my questions.

A 1/18 Gabreski P-47D Bubbletop is something I would definitely buy---especially if it includes the antenna and gunsight missing from previous P-47s (when I was a kid, I tried to find Monogram's 1/48 Gabreski P-47D Bubbletop, but never found one in the stores, so I'm eager for 21st's Gabreski P-47D).

Also, please pass on to Roy there is a market for 1/32 MODERN JETS, too---Flyingmule has sold out again of it's BBI 1/32 F-4J Phantom---that's twice they've sold out. I would love to see someone release a 1/32 F-15 Eagle, an F-14 Tomcat and an SR-71 Blackbird, etc.

Thanks again for keeping us informed.

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:21 pm

I think 1:32 modern jets could do very well with 21C. But I think larger multi-engine WWII might release first. That's going to require a larger box perhaps the 1:18 scale box and 40.00 price point?... I would then expect the path to be paved for jets to enter the fray.

As for the P-47's... I want to see an improved canopy, Gun sight / cockpit, and especially improved landing gear.

My wish list might include cowl flaps open (option) and removable engine cover and or Gun access door panel(s).

General custer · Post by **General custer** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:51 pm

tko211 wrote:I think 1:32 modern jets could do very well with 21C. .

Modern tanks too, to follow your M113 _ not Abrams etc... like FOV but post-WW2 , like Centurion Léopard M551 Sheridan etc...

Flytiger · Post by **Flytiger** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:44 pm

The P-47 landing gear is a bit like the issues with the P-38. You have to make compromises sometimes or the product becomes impractical to mass produce at a price-point that makes sense. If you have a C21 P-38 you realize the weight that would be required to allow the bird to sit if the main gear were in the scale position. We're talking many ounces of balast on an already heavy model.

The P-47's more realistic contracting struts might wind up making 50% of the buyers break them; an accurate gunsight will have to be somewhat fragile and some percentage of them will fall down into the cockpit when a pilot figure is being maneuvered into the plane by an inexperienced owner. And while TKO's desire for operating cowl flaps is really cool, I think any sturdy hinge and holding mechanism is pretty far beyond the precision of a plastic product in 1:18 under $500. I can imagine lots of flaps being missing-in-action and unhappy owners who are frustrated after the 25th open/close cycle has worn out the hinge or retainer points and a few of them start hanging open on their own.

I and I think most of the average consumer base would be thrilled to see a simple repaint of the bubble-top in 56th livery.

olifant · Post by **olifant** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:33 pm

tko211 wrote:I think 1:32 modern jets could do very well with 21C. But I think larger multi-engine WWII might release first. That's going to require a larger box perhaps the 1:18 scale box and 40.00 price point?... I would then expect the path to be paved for jets to enter the fray.

As for the P-47's... I want to see an improved canopy, Gun sight / cockpit, and especially improved landing gear.

My wish list might include cowl flaps open (option) and removable engine cover and or Gun access door panel(s).

For God's sake TKO, tell Roy to bring the mulit-engine 1/32 on. I have been spending my money on 1/72 for crying out loud! I would really rather it go to 21C.

chunks · Post by **chunks** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:01 pm

olifant wrote:
tko211 wrote:I think 1:32 modern jets could do very well with 21C. But I think larger multi-engine WWII might release first. That's going to require a larger box perhaps the 1:18 scale box and 40.00 price point?... I would then expect the path to be paved for jets to enter the fray.

As for the P-47's... I want to see an improved canopy, Gun sight / cockpit, and especially improved landing gear.

My wish list might include cowl flaps open (option) and removable engine cover and or Gun access door panel(s).

For God's sake TKO, tell Roy to bring the mulit-engine 1/32 on. I have been spending my money on 1/72 for crying out loud! I would really rather it go to 21C.

Multi-engine 1/18 (B-25, F-4) would also be a great thing to release.

normandy · Post by **normandy** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 5:46 pm

Hello TKO, how does the new King Tiger box art look? You said you had some pictures and a screen saver you wanted to put up at Area 21. Just asking cause things are a little slow right now as you know.
Thanks.

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 6:07 pm

I would love to see those.

normandy · Post by **normandy** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 4:23 am

TKO,I was just looking at Area21 and found this....
http://www.21stcenturytoys.com/area21/a ... newsID=261 I was in Fla. last year at this time when I saw this article. I wanted the KT then as much as I do now, so you got any more intel on the Tiger?

Small Scale Military Headquarters

21st Century Toys 1:18 Information Q&A (Area-21 Pres)

hetzer..missing parts?